voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-04-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen of the month of Kazoo. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes after lunch. A lunch that may be a bit sparse: between the big eaters and the stress bakers, the stores have been stretched thin the last two weeks.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The steam is thin, with blue skies seen above. The sun shines brightly down, warm light pooling on the platform.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Cassie Lang, Glorfindel, Jessie Custer, Olivia, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, S’reee, Thea Queen, Wei Wuxian.

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, open, with a vine-covered wall stretching high either side of the barrier. In front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large, and seems smaller with eighteen figures scattered around. All facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist.

A roaring sound, and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles. The doors close behind them.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go, and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including plenty more tomatoes.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a suitcase stocked with spare wash kit items, for those who are running low as well as a box labelled Do Not Use Yet that is full of small bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk! Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers who are making the most of the sunshine. The doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-04 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)

“Of course.”

Polite as always. Wen Sizhui is always proper and well mannered whenever in the presence of anyone from the Jin sect. The fact that the hair is in the same train as he meant that he needs to be in his best behavior, he reminds himself.

“Is there anything you require?”

jinlingers: (JL Lanling 01)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-07 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling inwardly sighs and shakes his head. At least he isn't running off away from Sizhui like he actually wants to do.

"No. And besides, you just arrived as well, you should get settled."
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-08 04:44 am (UTC)(link)

“It shouldn’t take me that long. Xian-ge has always said to be ready for whatever to happen and to settle quickly to make sure I always have my bearings,” he replies proudly.

jinlingers: (JL-50-64)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-10 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Sizhui seems so strange, even as he talks, his choice of words. All of it seems slightly out of place and Jin Ling furrows his brow.

"Are you really Sizhui?"

What kind of stupid question is that even, honestly...
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-10 12:29 am (UTC)(link)

What a strange question. Ah, perhaps this one is from the other’s world, as it were.

“I am,” he says carefully. “Ah, my apologies, Jin-gongzi.” Sizhui formally bows before him. “I am Wen Sizhui. Perhaps you are more familiar with Lan Sizhui. We are the same and yet...I am certain we’ve led different lives.”

jinlingers: (Default)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-10 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
Ah... Jin Ling exhales slowly and he's not particularly enjoying having this conversation but it's not really the other's fault and he does his best not to take it out on him. Is that growth? Maybe.

"It seems so..."
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-10 12:35 am (UTC)(link)

What an interesting response. Sizhui stays where he is and doesn’t make any move toward him or away from him just in case.

“...am I making you uncomfortable, Jin-gongzi?”

jinlingers: (JL Lanling 12)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-10 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
"It's not your fault," Jin Ling says and despite his reticence, Fairy has made her way over to sniff at Sizhui and attempt to gain some petting.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-10 12:39 am (UTC)(link)

He smiles softly and crouches to gently scratch the dog behind its ears and let her sniff at his fingers.

“What a sweet dog! Did Sect Leader Jiang gift this to you as well?”

jinlingers: (JL-50-14)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-11 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling looks confused when the other reacts to Fairy with that question, like he's never met her before... This is very strange.

"No... Sh...Jin Guangyao gave it to me," Jin Ling says, one of his hands tightening into a fist at just mentioning his name.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-11 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)

He blinks up in confusion. Why would—Ah, different worlds. Right. He straightens again.

“Jin-gongzi, that is very kind of him to gift such a lovely companion to you.”

He keeps his mouth shut on the fate of the former Jin official.

jinlingers: (Default)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-12 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Why do you think he wouldn't?" he'd noticed the confusion and, of course, makes an assumption.

Jin Ling questions mentally -- what could be so different?
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-13 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
He smiles softly.

"Sect Leader Jiang gifted a puppy to Jin-gongzi for his fourteenth birthday."

It had taken Hanguang Jun and Jiang-guniang almost an hour to calm Xian-ge down.
jinlingers: (JL-50-08)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-17 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling frowns a little and shakes his head.

"That's...not..." he exhales. It doesn't even make sense to him.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-17 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Not how it was for you?" he asks softly. "It seems as if everyone I've met here is from a much different sort of timeline than me. Please forgive me if I have upset you, Jin-gongzi."
jinlingers: (JL44 30)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-17 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Jin Guangyao gave Fairy to me when I was younger because I..."

But this isn't the Sizhui he trusts completely. "Because the disciples were being idiots."

One way of putting it anyway.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-17 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Ah. So Jin Guangyao provided the gift to Jin Rulan in his world.

"Then I am very glad you have such a wonderful dog who is not an idiot," he says instead.
jinlingers: (JL44 15)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-17 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling nearly smiles.

"What...all is different for you?"
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-17 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Most, it seems like."

Though he doesn't volunteer exactly what was the same and what was different. From what he had experienced so far on this journey, it may not be so wise to start spouting off what was and wasn't the same between his world and anyone else's.
jinlingers: (JL44 24)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-17 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Like what?" Jin Ling can't help but ask but he won't insist at least it's distracting him from other things.
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-18 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
He thinks on it, not wanting to upset the other too much.

"Who gifted your companion to you, for one. Ah, and Lan-gongzi being a part of the Gusu Lan Sect."

Sizhui smiles softly, talking about his brother from another...lifetime?

"He seems to have led a nice life and is a very capable cultivator."
jinlingers: (JL2)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-18 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Are we friends?" Jin Ling asks after a pause.

Why does that even matter, honestly?
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-18 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)

Ah. He tries his best to not show the discomfort of trying to answer that.

"Jin-gongzi has his own friends. And has a very distinct view of the Wen," he says. "Perhaps later on, we might be. Are we friends where you're from?"

jinlingers: (Default)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-04-18 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wait.... what do you mean...?" Jin Ling looks confused, his brow furrows.

"Yes... you were annoyingly persistent."
wenyuan: (Default)

[personal profile] wenyuan 2021-04-18 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)

He hesitates before repeating himself.

"Jin-gongzi has his own friends. He seems happy with them."

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